Gunmen Attack Iraq Provincial Council, At Least Nine Killed

Insurgents have attacked a provincial government compound in central Iraq, killing at least nine people before U.S.-assisted Iraqi forces regained control of the building.

The attack took place in Baquba, the capital of the Diyala province, some 60 kilometers northeast of Baghdad.

At least 15 others were reported wounded in the attack.

Witnesses and local officials said at least five gunmen stormed the main gate after a car bomb exploded and a suicide bomber blew himself up. A second suicide bomber detonated his explosives while the gunmen clashed with police.

It was not immediately clear whether all the attackers were killed in the fighting.

The U.S. military said in a statement that U.S. forces had provided only observation support from helicopters.

Diyala was once a stronghold of Al-Qaeda and though unrest has declined, it remains one of Iraq's most volatile regions.